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This is a cool thread. I'm glad I discovered it! I will be 60 this fall and am currently living on SSDI and the pay (minimum wage) from a part time job as a motel desk clerk. My income is low enough that I qualify for food stamps, medicaid and a section 8 housing voucher. With all these things cobbled together, I am able to live simply and don't go for want of anything. I am surprised at how little I REALLY need. I do the standard hitting the thrift stores and yard sales. I love books and have discovered that on Amazon.com you can buy used books in excellent condition for as little as one penny and 3.99 shipping and handling. Even the local used book store won't give me such a great bargain! The same for music CD's. Amazon offers an astonishing array of used ones in excellent condition and priced as low as .99 cents!
I have two cats and get them their shots for only $12.00 each through the local animal rescue. I got my babies as kittens through the same rescue outfit, and they came spayed and neutered, all vaccines only $30.00 each. What a bargain for my little fur faces!
I live in a small town with no bus services, but there is a county transportation service that will pick you up at your door, take you to your destination and home again - just like a taxi - for only $3.00 round trip. I use them for major shopping expeditions or places more than a mile away. Less than a mile, I walk and save the $3.00 and get the benefit of the exercise.
My major concern is the cuts being made to the section 8 housing voucher program. Without my voucher, I'd be out on the street - literally. I worry a lot about this - being in my sixties and suddenly becoming homeless. I am worried enough that I am looking into voc-rehab to see if I can get the training to engage in higher paid and more productive work than my current minimum wage job. Don't know if I will be able to surmount my disabilities enough to pull it off, but I'm sure going to give it a try. Does anyone else here use a housing voucher to help them get by and, if so, what are your thoughts?
I purchased a Maytag stacking washer/dryer about 3 years ago. No problems, yet. I did not choose the stackable front loaders because I would have had difficulty reaching the upper dials (or buttons?) and because I wanted to fold the clothes on the lid of the washer before moving them out of the laundry room. (hope that makes sense.)
It would make sense if you DID choose the stackable front loader for the washing machine, which goes on the bottom. Is that what you meant?
Does anyone else here use a housing voucher to help them get by and, if so, what are your thoughts?
I don't know about vouchers but I have heard of seniors getting into senior subsidized housing (rent and utilities = 1/3 your income). Check it out at your local senior agency.
I don't know about vouchers but I have heard of seniors getting into senior subsidized housing (rent and utilities = 1/3 your income). Check it out at your local senior agency.
Subsidized rent through HUD is often referred to as Section 8 Housing and the certificate holders are issued Housing Vouchers based on family unit size and income threshold.
The amount of rent the Voucher Holder pays is calculated by income and factoring rent along with the Utility Allowance.
I used to manage a fair number of subsidized homes and apartments... some renters paid very little and other almost all of the rent.
Being eligible and receiving the Voucher is the first part and can take years in some areas... then the holder must find a rent reasonable unit that meets Housing Quality Standards.
Another important point with Vouchers are they are portable... they can be transferred to units in other cities... not simple, but very doable.
Many cities and counties have Housing Authorities...
Last edited by Ultrarunner; 04-08-2011 at 12:02 PM..
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,793 posts, read 58,301,504 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Colorado Rambler
This is a cool thread. I'm glad I discovered it! .... I love books...you can buy used books ...for as little as one penny and 3.99 shipping and handling. ...
I live in a small town .... I am looking into voc-rehab to see if I can get the training to engage in higher paid and more productive work than my current minimum wage job. Don't know if I will be able to surmount my disabilities enough to pull it off, but I'm sure going to give it a try. ...
Have been in and through Cortez many times, Tho I'm from the other corner of Colorado myself (Grew up near Masonville, view from my home). devil's backbone colorado - Google Search but I also spent time in Grover and Hereford
Subsidized rent through HUD is often referred to as Section 8 Housing and the certificate holders are issued Housing Vouchers based on family unit size.
The amount of rent the Voucher Holder pays is calculated by income and factoring rent along with the Utility Allowance.
I used to manage a fair number of subsidized homes and apartments... some renters paid very little and other almost all of the rent.
Being eligible and receiving the Voucher is the first part and can take years in some areas... then the holder must find a rent reasonable unit that meets Housing Quality Standards.
Another important point with Vouchers are they are portable... they can be transferred to units in other cities... not simple, but very doable.
Many cities and counties have Housing Authorities...
I am not sure that the kind of rent assistance you are talking about (for the general population) is the same as senior subsidized housing, where you apply and then get on a list and when you're called you prove what your income is directly to the housing office (not some voucher or Section 8 program). Does anyone know for sure?
On essential living expenses, where else? And if it's all you get (that is, no income from other investments or paid work), you can't live on it.
I guess not. I just calculated with $300 for insurance, $300 for medical , $200 for food and $100 extra, but I guess I would have to pay for utilities at least. In my state they can be like $500 per month in the winter.
But I think if you don't have a housing payment, would it be difficult to retire on say $1500 per month?
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